View Full Version : Post your Problems and Pictures of Your New Camera
bencelest
01-23-2010, 07:56 PM
I bought a Sony F828 camera. I don't know anything about how to take pictures, what is the best way for me to learn. Once I know, I'll try to post the pictures here. I encourage others to do the same.
turtile
01-23-2010, 10:26 PM
I bought a Sony F828 camera. I don't know anything about how to take pictures, what is the best way for me to learn. Once I know, I'll try to post the pictures here. I encourage others to do the same.
The first thing you should learn is exposure (how much light the camera captures). Since the F828 has live preview, it is very easy to learn how exposure works.
Exposure is measured in stops.
3 parts of exposure:
1. Aperture is size of the opening that allows light in.
-> F numbers are used to adjust the size of the opening. (ex. F2.8, F5.6)
The smaller the F number, the larger the opening. Thus F2.8 will let more light in.
-> when you move from F2.8 to F5.6, you lower the exposure 1 stop (going from F5.6 to F2.8 will increase the exposure 1 stop)
2. Shutter Speed is the speed in which the shutter exposes the cameras image sensor (part that captures light) to light
-> moving from 1/250s to 1/500s will decrease the exposure one stop
-> higher shutter speeds may be needed to freeze action and stop hand shake
3. ISO is the sensitivity of the sensor to light.
-> moving from ISO100 to ISO 200 will increase exposure one stop
-> high ISO makes more noise (grain on the picture) and degrades image quality
Examples of the same exposure:
ISO100, F2.8, 1/250s
ISO200, F2.8, 1/500s
ISO100, F4, 1/125s
For Basketball, you'll likely want to keep the aperture as large as possible (F2.0). You'll need to use a high shutter speed to freeze action (1/500s+). The ISO should be increased in order to achieve the desired shutter speed.
Put your camera in manual mode so you can play with exposure.
bencelest
01-24-2010, 12:56 AM
John:
That's exactly what I want to learn for more than 10 years I was fooling with cameras.
You put it in a nutshell. I've been buying cameras that all you do is point and shoot because I was so afraid of all those numbers and terms. Now that I have one that will accomplish my goal I
Thank you so much.
You don't know how many shots I deleted since my kids started playing basketball and touring the karate tournaments and the pictures I kept will not even pass any test.
Thanks John for an eye opener.
Abnshrek
01-24-2010, 10:43 AM
I have a pentax (I think.. ancient camera) That last roll of film none of the picture came out so I got the wife a digital cannon.. I think there's something wrong with the shutter on the Pentax?
lorax
01-24-2010, 11:13 AM
Quite possibly. If I were you, I'd take the Pentax to your local camera shop and ask the guy behind the counter to have a look at it. It may be a very simple thing to fix.
bencelest
01-24-2010, 12:28 PM
Quite possibly. If I were you, I'd take the Pentax to your local camera shop and ask the guy behind the counter to have a look at it. It may be a very simple thing to fix.
I always ask if pre-inspection is free and how much it will cost to fix.
Note:
Also make sure that you look at how much is the charge at your receipt if correct after signing. I got crooked when I signed the receipt of the gasoline purchase one time and many a time at the grocery store.
lorax
01-24-2010, 12:40 PM
OK, Benny, now that you've got the hang of exposure, the next thing to consider is composition of your photographs. There are a couple of guidelines (I hesitate to call them "rules" because I tend to break them) that might help you out a bit.
The first is normally called the Rule of Thirds.
Divide your photographic plane into thirds both vertically and horizontally. Now, try to position your subject along one of these lines. You'll end up with a dynamic photograph, where the action or focus pulls you along the lines and through the field of vision captured in the photo. For most types of subject matter, a perfectly centered subject is less interesting visually than one that's pulled off-center, and this is especially true of shots involving action. Momo's photos of agility trials are particularly good examples of the Rule of Thirds in action photography.
Like so:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Bananas/PhragDissected.jpg
The exception to this are subjects with radial symmetry. These are best when the center of the subject is the center of the photograph as well.
Like so:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Bananas/AechmeaDissected.jpg
bencelest
01-24-2010, 01:17 PM
Lorax:
Wow! My Gosh!
Very impressive!!
Thank you so much Lorax.
BEAUTIFUL PICTURES!!!!
lorax
01-24-2010, 01:31 PM
The second set of guidelines have to do with the depth of your focus, also called depth of field. Especially in Macro photography (which is the bulk of what I do) photos are more interesting when the background is just slightly fuzzy or indistinct, and the foreground/subject tack sharp. In order to acheive this, you'll need to fool around with how you focus your lens. A photo with an indistinct background has more illusion of depth than one where everything is in sharp focus. In sport photography, I personally find action shots where the player is in sharp focus and the crowd indistinct to have more visual impact. Sometimes, your subject matter itself will dictate the depth of focus in your photographs, but in general you've got control.
The following photos show varying levels of depth of focus, ranging from quite sharp backgrounds to very indistinct ones. I don't normally take photos of sporting events, so they'll be nature photography and plant macros.
Low depth of field.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/AvocadoandSparrow.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Botany/Begoniastems.jpg
Medium depth of field.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/SparklingVioletear.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/DSCN1973.jpg
High depth of field.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Irealizethatthisisapictureofaflower.jpg
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh196/HabloPorArboles/Best%20Photography/Botany/Beetleandfern.jpg
momoese
01-24-2010, 02:49 PM
Benny, as Beth mentioned above, have a look at the rule of thirds.
Rule of Thirds (http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds)
bencelest
01-24-2010, 06:30 PM
Oh, Gosh! What pictures!!!!
You guys are terrific. As always- very professional pictures, Lorax.
Let me digest all those wonderful tips before I ask my questions. I am slow in learning.
Plus I have a very fervent work to finish- to redraw the drawings of my patio as the city inspector is hollering for me to do to conform with the Code.
LilRaverBoi
01-24-2010, 08:03 PM
Okay, so I've gotta be a smart a$$ and ask........How do you take a picture of a camera?? A mirror?
momoese
01-24-2010, 08:51 PM
Okay, so I've gotta be a smart a$$ and ask........How do you take a picture of a camera?? A mirror?
With your other camera. :)
lorax
01-24-2010, 10:46 PM
Yup. With your other camera.
Want Them All
01-26-2010, 02:22 AM
Great post and info. I got the Nikon D3000 a month ago, and so far I've used used the Auto setting about 95% of the time, and I'd say about 95% of the photos turned out great to me. So much to learn, but it's very fun doing it.
bencelest
01-26-2010, 03:14 AM
Great post and info. I got the Nikon D3000 a month ago, and so far I've used used the Auto setting about 95% of the time, and I'd say about 95% of the photos turned out great to me. So much to learn, but it's very fun doing it.
Does this include pictures while the object is moving? Like playing basketball?
You are right so much to learn.
Want Them All
01-26-2010, 10:22 AM
Does this include pictures while the object is moving? Like playing basketball?
You are right so much to learn.
I rotate the setting dial to "Sport" mode, then choose "Serial" shooting mode, where up to 9 photos are taken very fast one after another, when I take action photos. Pretty much all modern cameras have these features.
momoese
01-26-2010, 11:39 AM
pictures while the object is moving? Like playing basketball?
Benny, I'm assuming you received an owners manual with your camera and it's more than likely no different than mine, and you've had time to familiarize yourself with the camera and it's controls, and have a memory card in the camera that's formatted. If this is correct than do this.
First read page 47 and make sure the camera is set to 8M and "Normal" record mode. The reason for selecting 8M is so you can later crop the image and still have a nice printable image.
Next read page 55 about Shutter speed priority mode. You'll have to select a shutter speed that's fast enough to stop the action. To do this you will have to experiment at the game by taking a picture then looking at it and deciding if it's clear or blurred. If blurred reset the shutter to a faster speed and keep adjusting it until you get a picture that's satisfactory. I would start at 320 and go from there. You may end up shooting up around 800 or more to stop the action. To view the image enlarged which helps to check for blur read page 84.
Next read page 58 about Selecting the metering mode. You'll want to use a Center weighted metering mode. This will help the camera to focus and choose an aperture based on the center area of what your pointing it at, not everything else around it.
Next read page 66 and pay close attention to (Monitoring AF) This function will keep the camera focused where it's pointed even before halfway depressing the shutter button.
Next read page 76 about Shooting in multi burst mode. In this mode you will not be able to use the flash so when ready try it at the game which I'm guessing is indoors and look at the results before continuing shooting. You may have to take single pictures using the flash if the burst mode pictures are not bright enough. If you need to use a flash and don't have an external flash yet then refer to page 70 for instructions on adjusting the flash level.
Use auto focus and auto ISO. Do not use the digital zoom function, just use the regular focal zoom from turning the ring on the lens barrel.
Report back here with your progress. :)
bencelest
01-26-2010, 11:57 AM
Mitchel:
Oweeh!!! Wow!
That's the most detailed instruction I have received for my camera. Thanks a lot Mitchel.
Yes, I got me a CD instruction manual and I print the pages that you mentioned.
Would you believe I am still on page 9-10 where it tells you parts and controls of the camera?
I am going to ask my son when is his next game and I will report here ASAP. And he was just promoted as the first five players.
You and Lorax are so helpful, I can't thank you enough.
I am sure lots of guys/dolls are benifitting with your input.
Note:
I was posting a lot of karate pictures and few pics onbasketball and posting them on my facebook. If you guys are interested you can be my"friend". I warn you the pictures are blurry specially the action scene because I don't know how to take them yet . I have to discard almost half of my takes because they were too blurry and unrecognizable. Just type my name when you download facebook. And to get in just be a member. It's free.
Benny
bencelest
01-27-2010, 02:40 AM
Mitchel:
I found out that my son's game is tomorrow. I tried to understand your instruction but it stopped me after page 84. I can't seem to understand the "Next read page 58 about " You'll want to use a Center weighted metering mode."
but I don't have time to read anymore so I'd start at page 55 "Shooting with shutter speed priority mode and then go to page 59-60 to adjust my exposure automatically by selecting OEV (activating auto exposure) . (page 60).
I will aso will try to shy away using multiburst method. I don't seem to understand it maybe because I don't have the time to digest what it is all about. But that is very helpful to learn in the future.
On the second thought I will try to learn the multiburst mode because I think I can choose which one gives you the best action and clearer picture.
bencelest
01-27-2010, 09:56 AM
Mitchell:
Why can't I start at a higher speed like 1/1000 instead of 1/320? Also I am not sure yet what is ISO and AF feauture do. And where do you adjust it in the camera. And what does this mean? "high ISO makes more noise (grain on the picture) and degrades image quality".
What is the difference between these two and when do you use each?
"ISO100, F2.8, 1/250s
ISO200, F2.8, 1/500s
"
momoese
01-27-2010, 10:57 AM
Mitchell:
Why can't I start at a higher speed like 1/1000 instead of 1/320?
Because the lowest shutter speed that will stop the action is what you want. The reason is to allow the camera to choose the the largest apurature for you. This is why you will start with Shutter priority intead of fully manual.
Also I am not sure yet what is ISO and AF feauture do. And where do you adjust it in the camera.
ISO (page 64)is Film speed (sensor sensitivety) Set it to auto to start. It's in the menu, The book will tell you how to find it.
AF is Auto Focus (page 65) Read that whole section. While it will consume more battery power I suggest like I said earlier that you use "Monitoring AF"
And what does this mean? "high ISO makes more noise (grain on the picture) and degrades image quality".
Grain is kind of like static in the image. Less static = better image quality. Higher ISOs create more noise (static) In that camera you can choose from 64(low) to 800(high) ISO or choose auto which is what you should do. (page 64)
What is the difference between these two and when do you use each?
"ISO100, F2.8, 1/250s
ISO200, F2.8, 1/500s
"
That example is showing two identical aperatures F2.8 or F2.8 (lens opening)
When you use that aperature (which you not going to worry about right now) and a faster shutter you change the ISO to a higher number (more sensitive) because with the faster shutter speed you are not getting as much light through the lens and onto the sensor, so the sensor needs to be more sensitive to light.
momoese
01-27-2010, 11:03 AM
Mitchel:
I found out that my son's game is tomorrow. I tried to understand your instruction but it stopped me after page 84. I can't seem to understand the "Next read page 58 about " You'll want to use a Center weighted metering mode."
but I don't have time to read anymore so I'd start at page 55 "Shooting with shutter speed priority mode and then go to page 59-60 to adjust my exposure automatically by selecting OEV (activating auto exposure) . (page 60).
I will aso will try to shy away using multiburst method. I don't seem to understand it maybe because I don't have the time to digest what it is all about. But that is very helpful to learn in the future.
On the second thought I will try to learn the multiburst mode because I think I can choose which one gives you the best action and clearer picture.
Well I can't help you with time constriants. Time just keeps marching on! :ha:
When you have enough time read what I recomended and give it a shot.
Multiburst is how you get several shots all together, one after the other just by holding the shutter release down. It will go click click click click click and so on. Then when you look at the pics you'll see that one of those shots is "the" shot! :) Just be warned that after shooting in a bunch of pics all together the camera will take a few seconds to store all that info onto the memory card or stick, which ever you have. During that loading time you will not be able to take a picture.
bencelest
01-28-2010, 07:03 PM
Mitchel:
I tried to use my Sony camera at the game last night but I had a big problem. First I want you to know the game is inside the gym and at night but there were plenty of lights. When I put the camera on mode dial S and set the shutter speed at 320 the camera screen went black. I tried it at higher number and the result was the same. I tried to adjust the EV to higher or lower number the result was the same.The screen was still black. So I end up taking pictures on mode dial P and auto. and the pictures were blurry as usual.This morning I experimented with mode dial S and I found out that at shutter speed of 13 and below (inside my bedroom) I can see a normal screen picture. I tried to raise the shutter speed to 320 and the pics went black. I went close to the window where there were sunlight then the screen became normal.
I am going back again tonight to the game as there is another game and I will try to take pictures on mode dial S again at lower shutter speed and see what happens.
Question: Is my camera defective? I bought it 2nd hand on EBay.
Benny
momoese
01-28-2010, 07:21 PM
Benny go to page 119 and follow the directions to reset the camera. Then put it back on S and try again and lmk what happens.
bencelest
01-28-2010, 07:23 PM
Thanks, Mitchel. I had to adjust the date and time and that is a good thing. Last adjusted was in 2003.
turtile
01-28-2010, 10:14 PM
Mitchel:
I tried to use my Sony camera at the game last night but I had a big problem. First I want you to know the game is inside the gym and at night but there were plenty of lights. When I put the camera on mode dial S and set the shutter speed at 320 the camera screen went black. I tried it at higher number and the result was the same. I tried to adjust the EV to higher or lower number the result was the same.The screen was still black. So I end up taking pictures on mode dial P and auto. and the pictures were blurry as usual.This morning I experimented with mode dial S and I found out that at shutter speed of 13 and below (inside my bedroom) I can see a normal screen picture. I tried to raise the shutter speed to 320 and the pics went black. I went close to the window where there were sunlight then the screen became normal.
I am going back again tonight to the game as there is another game and I will try to take pictures on mode dial S again at lower shutter speed and see what happens.
Question: Is my camera defective? I bought it 2nd hand on EBay.
Benny
Your ISO is probably set to manual. You may be shooting at ISO 100 or lower which is inadequate. Adjust the ISO until the screen lights up.
If you change the exposure compensation, you'll either under or over expose the shot.
bencelest
01-29-2010, 02:02 PM
Your ISO is probably set to manual. You may be shooting at ISO 100 or lower which is inadequate. Adjust the ISO until the screen lights up.
If you change the exposure compensation, you'll either under or over expose the shot.
Thanks, John.
That makes a lot of difference
There was no game yesterday. My bad. It is tonight. I'll try again tonight. Thanks again.
momoese
01-29-2010, 03:01 PM
So now that you have the factory settings back you should be able to shoot on S. The camera will automatically choose the correct ISO for you.
sunfish
01-29-2010, 04:54 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=29343&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=29343&ppuser=2868)
bencelest
01-29-2010, 06:50 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=29343&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=29343&ppuser=2868)
Tony: LOL:ha::ha::ha:
momoese
01-29-2010, 06:56 PM
Benny, have you tried shooting on S since resetting the camera? I'm waiting to hear from you.
bencelest
01-29-2010, 08:24 PM
Benny, have you tried shooting on S since resetting the camera? I'm waiting to hear from you.
Mitchel:
Not yet. But in 2 hours I am going to my son's basketball to try it.
I tried shooting a couple of still pictures in the bathroom and it appears to be OK.
momoese
01-29-2010, 08:51 PM
Mitchel:
Not yet. But in 2 hours I am going to my son's basketball to try it.
I tried shooting a couple of still pictures in the bathroom and it appears to be OK.
Great! You can always try taking pics of moving cars or animals around the neighborhood to get a feel for shutter speeds.
bencelest
01-30-2010, 11:06 AM
Great! You can always try taking pics of moving cars or animals around the neighborhood to get a feel for shutter speeds.
I never thought of this taking pictures of moving cars. I am close to the freeway so that's what I am going to do.
bencelest
01-31-2010, 03:54 AM
Mitchel:
On page 157 I can,t understand heads or tails of that diagram.And the relationship between the shutter speed and aperture
It says to program diagram shows the movement of the combination of the shutter speed and aperture value. So would you be able to explain to me the shutter speed and the aperture value inside the gym with bright lights on by using that diagram?
What is the squares and the diagonal lines for? And the numbers?
Benny
momoese
01-31-2010, 10:48 AM
It just explaining the relationship between shutter, aperture and EV. You don't need to worry about that. All you need to do is adjust the shutter speed to be fast enough to stop the action and let the camera do the rest of the work for you. In the picture of your son playing b ball you needed a higher shutter speed because he is still blurry. When you get to the game just practice by talking shots of anyone who is moving, not just your son, and then look at the pictures using the play function by turning the dial to "play" and if they are still blurry move to a higher shutter speed. If you haven't already you could now set the metering for the focus to center weighted which will help it to focus on whatever is in the middle of the frame so then all you have to do is keep your son in the middle and push the button.
bencelest
01-31-2010, 11:14 PM
It just explaining the relationship between shutter, aperture and EV. You don't need to worry about that. All you need to do is adjust the shutter speed to be fast enough to stop the action and let the camera do the rest of the work for you. In the picture of your son playing b ball you needed a higher shutter speed because he is still blurry. When you get to the game just practice by talking shots of anyone who is moving, not just your son, and then look at the pictures using the play function by turning the dial to "play" and if they are still blurry move to a higher shutter speed. If you haven't already you could now set the metering for the focus to center weighted which will help it to focus on whatever is in the middle of the frame so then all you have to do is keep your son in the middle and push the button.
Now I got it down pat.
I am ready for the next game for sure. I don't see anymore of the dark images when I raise the number of the shutter speed. I might be raising another number before other than the shutter speed.
I also bought the HVLF32X flash yesterday.That will help me in case I needed extra light.
Thank you so much Mitchel.
Benny
momoese
01-31-2010, 11:30 PM
You're welcome Benny, can't wait to see what you capture! :)
bencelest
02-01-2010, 01:57 AM
Tomorrow, there's another game but at different school. I'll try to go there.
bencelest
02-01-2010, 03:08 PM
Mitchel:
It seems to me now, after taking care of weighted metering, image size, adjusting exposure EV, adjusting flash level and color tones all I have to worry and adjust on the scene these 2 things:
finding the right combination of the ISO and the shutter speed. I am starting with the shutter speed at 320 and ISO at 400.
I am also changing the image size to 1M as I run out of memory in the middle of the game at 3rd quarter. This pics are for trial only and not for most clear pictures and for keeps. When I am able I will probably buy 4 or 8 gig memory stick.
Benny
momoese
02-01-2010, 03:23 PM
Sounds good! The neat thing about that camera is the live view in the veiw finder. What you see is what you get! The only thing you can't see is how well the shutter speed will stop the action until after you take the shot, and you'll never know exactly what shutter speed you'll need until you get there because the lighting in these places is always different.
Just remember that it's digital so you can shoot as many frames as you want and it won't cost anything except the storage room on the memory card, and even then you can delete any unwanted images from the card while it's in the camera to save room for the good ones.
bencelest
02-02-2010, 11:42 AM
They are much better than this that I was saving before.
Thanks for all your help Mitchel.
Patty in Wisc
02-02-2010, 04:38 PM
Now I got it down pat.
Hey, leave me out of this! I have my little kodak like the one that Tony posted a pic of, & I'm happier than a pig in poop :ha::ha::ha:
bencelest
02-02-2010, 05:09 PM
Hey, leave me out of this! I have my little kodak like the one that Tony posted a pic of, & I'm happier than a pig in poop :ha::ha::ha:
hi
Patty in Wisc
02-02-2010, 06:20 PM
You must be very proud! :) Great pics too BTW!
bencelest
02-03-2010, 02:44 AM
Mitchel:
This is my last picture I am going to post here. This is my latest that I took yesterday. I have a bunch more and this is just a sample.
Thank you so much for teaching me how to take action pictures. I will continue taking pictures of my son but I'll keep it on privately. I am sure I'lll improve. In fact I started taking portrait pictures right now and scenes pictures of my citrus and wild flowers but I will keep them private from now on.
(picture deleted)
momoese
02-03-2010, 10:20 AM
You are getting the hang of it now! When you start taking portrait pics indoors, like in your home, try using your big flash and turning the unit so that the flash is aimed at the ceiling or a wall instead of at the peoples faces. If you do aim at them make sure to adjust it and use a diffuser.
bencelest
02-03-2010, 10:27 AM
Thanks!
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